Nick Spoors

A mobile police unit that can view footage from body-worn police cameras, drones and the force helicopter has been demonstrated to a visiting minister.

The Minister of State for Policing and the Fire Service, Rt Hon. Brandon Lewis MP, visited Northamptonshire today (Friday, 10 March) to meet with police and fire chiefs about collaboration.

The Minister was given a tour of Mereway Fire and Police Station in Northampton,talking to frontline officers and the joint command unit.

The first of its type in the UK, the high-tech vehicle includes the ability to view footage from remote static cameras, body worn cameras, an unmanned aerial system and the police helicopter.

Mr Lewis said: “Northamptonshire is leading by example. Shared police and fire headquarters and joint command units like this bring real benefits and savings to the local community and are exactly the type of innovative collaboration I want to see across the country."

The joint police and fire Prevention and Community Protection Department was set up in 2014, bringing together the expertise of the police community safety department and fire service community services under a single management structure.

Police and Crime Commissioner Stephen Mold said: ““The new Joint Command Unit is a fantastic example of this and I’m sure it will inspire other areas across England and Wales to consider similar initiatives.

“I announced in my Police and Crime Plan that we would be developing a business case for the governance of the Fire and Rescue Service to move from the County Council to my Office.

"It was extremely valuable to be able to speak with the Minister around his thoughts of progression in this area, and it is something we will be consulting the people of the county on in a couple of months’ time, to understand their opinion before ultimately setting out our intentions.”